"Prevention of hepatitis B transmission from mother to child starts from the most basic thing, namely by giving three doses of hepatitis B immunization to the baby," he stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The next step was administering the hepatitis B vaccine HB0 in less than 24 hours to reduce transmission from mother to baby; examination of pregnant women and antenatal care; as well as baby monitoring, he elaborated.
Syahril called for the effort to be continued with the administration of HBlg, a drug that strengthens the body's immunity against the hepatitis B virus, to babies born to reactive mothers and the administration of Tenofovir to pregnant women, with a high viral load.
"Giving three doses of hepatitis B immunization and giving HB0 in less than 24 hours has become a mandatory basic immunization program nationally," he explained.
Moreover, he noted that hepatitis B treatment was given to patients other than pregnant women and newborns by screening them first.
He noted that the priority of Anti-HCV screening, or the first stage of examination before hepatitis treatment, for patients was carried out on needle injecting users and former users; people with HIV/AIDS; hemodialysis patients; and key populations, such as prison inmates, sex workers, and perpetrators of sexual deviation.
Moreover, patients with a history of blood transfusions, a history of getting tattoos, piercings, use of unsterile medical devices, and health workers are prioritized for this screening.
"If the results are reactive, then their HCV RNA will be examined (an examination to determine the presence of the hepatitis virus and the amount in a person's body). If the results are reactive, then DAA (oral hepatitis medication) treatment will be carried out for eight to 12 weeks," Syahril stated.
He said that for now, the government is prioritizing to prevent hepatitis B transmission as early as possible for at least 80 percent of the pregnant women with integrated examinations with HIV and syphilis aimed at breaking or preventing vertical transmission from mother to child.
The Ministry of Health appealed to all people, especially pregnant women, to get themselves checked at health service facilities related to these three diseases to avoid worsening of symptoms and preventing transmission of the disease.
Related news: Govt covering treatment costs of patients with unidentified diseases
Related news: Ministry detects 91 cases of mysterious acute hepatitis
Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
